Although Puerto Rico’s residents are proud of their ability to face down hurricanes, radar footage of the giant Category 5 storm churning its way to the island did make some wonder whether their practiced preparedness would hold up. “That’s hard for anyone to imagine”.

Early official estimates on Thursday put the death toll at three in the U.S territory: a 79-year-old woman who died of a fall while being transported to a shelter, a woman electrocuted in her home and a man killed in a traffic accident. “We’ve got Jose right after it was her so who knows what’s going to happen”, said Lundquist.

They were born in Milwaukee, but spent part of their childhood on the island.

She is holding strong to her faith while she waits patiently to hear from her family again.

“I’ve been a little stressed out over there so I want to relax I’ll start my stress on Tuesday when it’s time to come”, Lopez said. “It’s just to clean up and driving around to assist others that might need more help'”.

According to the Post, the 28 miles per hour winds and gusts up to 36 miles per hour in San Juan Wednesday afternoon were well below operating limits for the Boeing 737. The first hurricane watch for Cuba is in place. She figured they would not lose electricity or water.

Pies said his two family cars are filled with gas, which is running out fast.

She said addressing these water quality problems is likely not something that Puerto Rico’s local government can accomplish on its own, given its crippling, long-term debt problems.

Chito Olivencia grew up in Puerto Rico but moved to Buffalo when he was 7. However, she has grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends still living on the island.

A photo shows Delta Flight 431 as it heads towards Puerto Rico, which looked to be covered in torrential clouds and rain.

“My mom, my dad, my sister, my entire family”.

In a statement, the airlines also said when the plane was approaching San Juan, “winds were around 24 knots with gusts up to 31 knots – all well below operating limits for the 737-900ER to safely operate”.

Culebra is practically without electricity and on Thursday several officials were there to evaluate the situation to be able to present a list of its needs to the appropriate authorities.